Pop sensation Miley recently caused a stir by dropping the surname “Cyrus” from her social media handles. Speculations arose regarding the reason behind this change. Some wondered if it was related to her relationship with her godmother, Dolly Parton, or a rift with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Others speculated if it tied to her upcoming album release.
Billy Ray Cyrus has now clarified the situation through a social media post. He shared a nostalgic photo on Instagram and revealed that he has always affectionately called his daughter Miley since she was young. Originally named Destiny Hope Cyrus, her father started calling her “Smiley” due to her constant smiling, which eventually evolved into Miley.
Billy Ray also explained that he introduced Miley to Dolly Parton during his time as her concert opening act, leading to Parton becoming Miley’s godmother. Both Billy Ray and Miley have publicly expressed their grief over Parton’s recent passing.
Emphasizing the importance of family, Billy Ray Cyrus, who recently turned 65, expressed support for Miley’s decision to perform under her first name only. He likened it to iconic superstars like Dolly, Cher, Elvis, and Prince who are known by single names, suggesting it as a natural progression for Miley’s career.
The alteration in Miley’s name is not an official change but rather a rebranding strategy. Her upcoming album, “Bass Persuades,” is set for release on September 18, accompanied by two live concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in October. Excited about her performances in Los Angeles, Miley shared her sentiments on Instagram, expressing her connection to the city.